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Flyers' failure to score is their biggest problem

Mark Pysyk , Matt Read , Jhonas Enroth

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mark Pysyk (53) closes in on Philadelphia Flyers right winger Matt Read (24) as he tries to score on Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth, (1), of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Saturday, April 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
(Associated Press photo)

PHILADELPHIA — Who’d have thought that with the bulk of the Flyers defense on the injury report and an often-times inconsistent keeper in Ilya Bryzgalov between the pipes most nights that the biggest problem Philadelphia has had in four straight losses following a four-game win streak is offensive production?

In losses to Winnipeg, the New York Islanders, Ottawa and Buffalo on Saturday, the Flyers netted a total of three goals. For those of you who didn’t do very well in math class, that’s an average of 0.75 goals per game.

You can’t take pressure off the defense, you can’t win games and you certainly can’t make the playoffs with such a horrid offensive output.

“Yeah, we’ve gotta find a way to get more pucks to the net, more traffic and a little bit more hungry than we are right now, and obviously it’s not getting the job done, so we need to figure out something here,” Flyers captain Claude Giroux said after a 3-1 loss to Ottawa.

The bright spot in the locker room with a 17-21-3 record is that the team affectionately known last year as the “Comeback Kids” are not bowing out, even with only seven games remaining and seven points out of a playoff spot.

“I think everyone is still going to put in obviously a good effort right to the end,” defenseman Luke Schenn said. “There is no question about that. Guys still have a lot to play for but obviously everyone’s a little bit frustrated. Guys are probably squeezing the stick a little tight.

“Obviously, we aren’t scoring very many goals, either. Frustration is a big thing, but I know everyone is still working and competing and we’re going to do it right to the end.”

After allowing two goals on breakaways against the Senators, Bryzgalov got a little chippy with reporters when asked about the rare occurrence.

Turns out frustration is a serious issue.

“Why you ask me and me only?” Bryzgalov said. “I’m a part of the team, we play as a team and it’s frustrating for us. We lose the game and we fall further from the playoffs.”

Even more fuel to add to the 2013 circus of a season was the rumor that Bryz fell asleep during a team meeting recently. Needless to say, he wasn’t happy with reporters that attempted to out him.

“You know guys, to be honest, I don’t know where you get this information,” he snapped. “Be honest, did you read yourself what you wrote? That’s embarrassing. You have to prove your sources. That was never happening. You became not professional journalists, it’s embarrassing, seriously.

“You’ve got to do your job better. I’m only pointing at guys who were involved in this because it’s really embarrassing and you have to be better. Step up, guys. Prove your information, find a reliable source.”

Now that plenty of Bryzgalov’s teammates have denied seeing Bryz’s alleged cat nap, we can all get back to the point at hand.

The Flyers can put together a good effort some nights and a terrible showing the next. But when it comes down to it, they’re not scoring. And with only seven games remaining, they’ll probably need a seven game win streak to reach the postseason.

Said head coach Peter Laviolette: “We need to win hockey games and focus on the next one.”